Japan will NOT give loans to Ghana under HIPC

Mr Hiromu Nitta, Ambassador of Japan in Ghana, on Tuesday repeated that his government would no longer give loans to Ghana since it has opted for the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

"However, my government will continue to give grants to Ghana to support any area that needs to be developed," the ambassador told the GNA after paying a courtesy call on Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Mines and Energy.

Mr Nitta pledged his government's willingness to support the energy sector, especially in the area of electrification.

"Electrification is very important and in this area, we share a common concern," he said.

"My government is, therefore, ready to extend any assistance for Ghana's electrification programme."

The Ambassador said the Japanese government has since 1990 provided 10 million dollars for rural electrification programmes in Ashanti, Upper, Volta, and Eastern Regions.

"My government is very sensitive to poverty alleviation and would continue to support Ghana in this direction through rural electrification projects," he said.

Mr Kan-Dapaah said Japan has a longstanding relationship with the ministry, especially in the provision of rural electrification.

He said Ghana would continue to respect concerns of the Japan government on her support and hoped that the relations between the two countries would be strengthened.

The minister said that officials of Japan International Co-operation Agency, a Japanese NGO, would be meeting him next week to review some projects that they have completed.